Do violent video games lead kids to be violent in the real world?

Newtown shooter Adam Lanza was thought to be a fan of the violent video game ‘Call of Duty.” (Activision)

The media has speculated that Adam Lanza spent a lot of his time cooped up in a basement playing violent video games such as “Call of Duty.” And over the past few weeks authorities have uncovered more and more evidence confirming that the 20-year-old behind the horrific shooting rampage in Newtown, Conn., was obsessed with these bloody games.

Last week, the Hartford Courant reported that “police found thousands of dollars worth of graphically violent video games” in the home Lanza shared with his mother. The paper also revealed that “detectives working the scene of the massacre are exploring whether Adam Lanza might have been emulating the shooting range or a video-game scenario as he moved from room to room at Sandy Hook, spewing bullets.”

Hearst Newspapers reported over the weekend that authorities found more evidence of his game playing when they unlocked his computer.

While the authorities have yet to release a final report on what officially drove Lanza to kill 20 children and six adults (including his mom), the debate over what role violent video games played in motivating the killer is heating up. Proponents of gun rights are quick to blame Lanza’s horrific actions on video games while video game makers and fans are remaining mum about their products.

But what do the experts—those people who’ve studied the effects of video games on kids’ brains—think? Can a violent video game lead a kid to pick up a real gun and shoot someone?

Experts have opposing viewpoints. They seem to agree that “Call of Duty” can have a negative effect on a kid’s mood and behavior, but they don’t agree on the degree of the impact. And interestingly they’re similar data and using similar study methods, according to NPR.

Conducting these studies is tricky because you can’t show a kid a video game and then give him a weapon to see what he does with it. Usually, according to NPR, researchers invite college students to play violent games and then ask specific questions about how they’re feeling afterward.

One of the leading researchers Craig Anderson, a psychologist at Iowa State University feels without question that “violent video game play makes more aggressive kids.” Anderson has conducted a number of studies, including a meta-analysis taking a close look at all the data, and he believes video games have a significant impact on behavior and as a society we should be concerned about this.

A statement from Dr. Anderson in a 2010 news release reads:

We can now say with utmost confidence that regardless of research method — that is experimental, correlational, or longitudinal — and regardless of the cultures tested in this study [East and West], you get the same effects. And the effects are that exposure to violent video games increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior in both short-term and long-term contexts. Such exposure also increases aggressive thinking and aggressive affect, and decreases prosocial behavior.

But while Dr. Anderson claims his research is conclusive, another leading researcher feels that the impact of video games on kids is small and the resulting behavior trivial. Texas A&M International University Professor Christopher Ferguson told NPR, “You know most of the debate now is really on to these minor acts of aggressiveness,” he said. “You know we’re talking about little children sticking their tongues out at each other and that sort of thing.”

Ferguson conducted his own meta-analysis and found no connection between video games and youth violence. “We have done a number of studies of video game violence with both children and adults and find no evidence to support links between video game violence and youth violence. Furthermore, youth violence has declined to 40 year lows, not gone up in recent years,” Ferguson told PC Gamer.

And so what’s a parent to do? Consider this. Even Ferguson who doesn’t see a direct connection between violent video games and real-life violence told NPR that he doesn’t let his own kids play bloody games. What’s more, both researchers agree that a combination of things—access to guns, mental stability, parenting, et cetera—played into Lanza’s horrific crime. In other words, parents need to look at the full picture.

Looking for nonviolent games for your kids? We asked Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based nonprofit advocacy group that helps parents navigate media, to come up with a list. Whether you have a preschool or teen, you’ll find something in this slide show below. What’s more, many of these games are educational and inspire creativity or activity.

Kinect Sesame Street TV: An interactive version of the well-loved educational TV show. Age 3. Platforms: Xbox 360. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/kinect-sesame-street-tv">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Kinect Sesame Street TV: An interactive version of the well-loved educational TV show. Age 3. Platforms: Xbox 360. More at <a ... more

Photo: Sesame Street

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LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Pet Pals 2: Best of Friends! Kids take care of their own pet, developing skills, such as addition and subtraction at a dog show and basic money-saving and goal-setting as they work toward buying items at the store. Age 4. Platforms: Leapster Explorer and LeapPad Explorer. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/leapfrog-explorer-learning-game-pet-pals-2-best-of-friends">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Pet Pals 2: Best of Friends! Kids take care of their own pet, developing skills, such as addition and subtraction at a dog show and basic money-saving and goal-setting as they ... more

Photo: Leap Frog

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Just Dance: Disney Party: Kids learn to dance by mimicking routines or they can make up their own dances. Age 5. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/just-dance-disney-party">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Just Dance: Disney Party: Kids learn to dance by mimicking routines or they can make up their own dances. Age 5. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360. More at <a ... more

Photo: Disney

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Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure: Kids solve puzzles and learn about friendship as they follow the story of a girl who has made a mistake -- she used magic to turn garden sprites into meddlesome imps -- and now she strives to remedy the situation by helping the people her mistake has affected. Age 5. Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Wii, Windows, Nintendo 3DS. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/disney-princess-my-fairytale-adventure">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure: Kids solve puzzles and learn about friendship as they follow the story of a girl who has made a mistake -- she used magic to turn garden sprites into meddlesome imps -- ... more

Photo: Video Gamer

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LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: The Magic School Bus: Oceans: on a field trip under the ocean with the wacky Ms. Frizzle, kids learn about the types of animals that live in different parts of the ocean, their attributes, and food chains. Age 6. Platforms: Leapster Explorer, LeapPad Explorer, LeapPad2, LeapsterGS. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/leapfrog-explorer-learning-game-the-magic-school-bus-oceans">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: The Magic School Bus: Oceans: on a field trip under the ocean with the wacky Ms. Frizzle, kids learn about the types of animals that live in different parts of the ocean, their ... more

Photo: Leap Frog

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Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone: Kids can learn about painting, drawing, and the history of art in this compelling set of interactive lessons. Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo 3DS. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/art-academy-lessons-for-everyone">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone: Kids can learn about painting, drawing, and the history of art in this compelling set of interactive lessons. Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo 3DS. More at <a ... more

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Crashmo: This game presents players with scores of challenging three-dimensional block puzzles that will put their reasoning skills to the test. Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo 3DS. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/crashmo">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Crashmo: This game presents players with scores of challenging three-dimensional block puzzles that will put their reasoning skills to the test. Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo 3DS. More at <a ... more

Photo: IGN.com

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Lumines: Electronic Symphony: Players control quartets of blocks falling from the top of the screen, aiming to line them up with similarly colored blocks resting in the play area. Make a square of four matching blocks and they’ll vanish, along with any adjacent blocks of the same color -- though not until a time bar sweeps over them. Age 8. Platforms: PlayStation Vita . More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/lumines-electronic-symphony">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Lumines: Electronic Symphony: Players control quartets of blocks falling from the top of the screen, aiming to line them up with similarly colored blocks resting in the play area. Make a square of four ... more

Photo: GiantBomb.com

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FIFA Soccer 13: With this soccer simulation game, kids can learn the rules to soccer, how to follow codes of conduct, and what it takes to devise a winning strategy. Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Windows, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/fifa-soccer-13">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

FIFA Soccer 13: With this soccer simulation game, kids can learn the rules to soccer, how to follow codes of conduct, and what it takes to devise a winning strategy. Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation ... more

Photo: NeoSeeker

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NBA 2K13: With this basketball simulation game, kids learn the rules of basketball by playing it virtually and can experience teamwork by playing with others.Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/nba-2k13">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

NBA 2K13: With this basketball simulation game, kids learn the rules of basketball by playing it virtually and can experience teamwork by playing with others.Age 8. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PSP, ... more

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Style Savvy Trendsetters: The focus in on fashion and looks, but business strategy makes the game and kids can manage their shop's finances, networkwith other local business owners, study the fashion market to learn what's popular (and what makes a good purchase for her shop), learn how a store's decor can pull in certain types of customers, and more. Age 9. Platforms: Nintendo 3DS. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/style-savvy-trendsetters">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Style Savvy Trendsetters: The focus in on fashion and looks, but business strategy makes the game and kids can manage their shop's finances, networkwith other local business owners, study the fashion market to ... more

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Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013: Kids can learn about dance moves as well as how to do exercises for fitness. The game discusses burning calories and incorporating active habits. Kids can also learn about eating appropriate portions and figuring out how to set up a healthy diet. Age 10. Platforms: Nintendo Wii U. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/your-shape-fitness-evolved-2013">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013: Kids can learn about dance moves as well as how to do exercises for fitness. The game discusses burning calories and incorporating active habits. Kids can also learn about ... more

Photo: Video Gamer

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Just Dance 4: a music dance game where players follow moves presented by dancers on the screen. Age 11. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/just-dance-4">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Just Dance 4: a music dance game where players follow moves presented by dancers on the screen. Age 11. Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U. More at <a ... more

Photo: Video Gamer

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Gazillionaire! This business simulation teaches kids about loans and interest, percentages, wages, profit margin, and fiscal responsibility. Age 12. Platforms: Mac, Windows. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/gazillionaire">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Gazillionaire! This business simulation teaches kids about loans and interest, percentages, wages, profit margin, and fiscal responsibility. Age 12. Platforms: Mac, Windows. More at <a ... more

Photo: BDStudioGames

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Dance Central 3: a dance simulation game that teaches players authentic dance moves and then evaluates their performance. Some sexually explicit song lyrics and dance moves make this a game for teens. Age 13. Platforms: Xbox 360. More at <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/dance-central-3">CommonSenseMedia.org</a>. less

Dance Central 3: a dance simulation game that teaches players authentic dance moves and then evaluates their performance. Some sexually explicit song lyrics and dance moves make this a game for teens. Age 13. ... more